Ear Strap Cushion Assembly

ABSTRACT

An ear strap cushion assembly for enhancing comfort of ear straps of a face mask includes a panel that is comprised of a flexible material such that the panel is rollable into a tube which can be positioned around an ear strap of a face mask. A cushion is bonded to the panel and the cushion is comprised of a resiliently compressible material enhance comfort for a user&#39;s ear when the panel is positioned around the ear strap and the ear strap is worn around the user&#39;s ear. A set of first fasteners is each is coupled to the panel. A set of second fasteners is each coupled to the panel. Each of the second fasteners releasably engages a respective one of the first fasteners when the panel is rolled into the tube. In this way each of the first fasteners and the second fasteners retain the panel around the ear strap.

(b) CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

(C) STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

(D) THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

(E) INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISCOR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

(F) STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINTINVENTOR

Not Applicable

(G) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to cushion devices and more particularly pertainsto a new cushion device for enhancing comfort of ear straps of a facemask. The device includes a panel that is rollable into a tube forsurrounding an ear strap of a face mask. A plurality of fasteners isintegrated into the panel and the fasteners engage each other when thepanel is rolled into the tube. The device includes a cushion that iscoupled to the magnet which cushions a user's ear when the face mask isworn to enhance comfort for the user.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to cushion devices including a head strap for ascuba mask which includes ear flaps for covering a user's ears. Theprior art discloses a variety of face mask devices that can be worn on auser's face for a variety of reasons. The prior art discloses a straptensioner for tightening a head strap on a scuba mask. The prior artdiscloses a face mask which includes a head strap that encircles auser's head when the face mask is worn.

(H) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a panel that is comprised of a flexible materialsuch that the panel is rollable into a tube which can be positionedaround an ear strap of a face mask. A cushion is bonded to the panel andthe cushion is comprised of a resiliently compressible material enhancecomfort for a user's ear when the panel is positioned around the earstrap and the ear strap is worn around the user's ear. A set of firstfasteners is each is coupled to the panel. A set of second fasteners iseach coupled to the panel. Each of the second fasteners releasablyengages a respective one of the first fasteners when the panel is rolledinto the tube. In this way each of the first fasteners and the secondfasteners retain the panel around the ear strap.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

(i) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an ear strap cushion assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a panelbeing rolled into a tube.

FIG. 6 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a panelbeing formed into a tube.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure showinga panel being rolled into a tube.

FIG. 8 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thedisclosure.

(J) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through10 thereof, a new cushion device embodying the principles and conceptsof an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10 , the ear strap cushionassembly 10 generally comprises a panel 12 that is comprised of aflexible material such that the panel 12 is rollable into a tube 13. Inthis way the panel 12 can be positioned around an ear strap 14 of a facemask 16. The face mask 16 may be any type of face mask that is worn toprotect a user from airborne infectious diseases, for example. The panel12 has a first surface 18, a second surface 20 and a perimeter edge 22extending between the first surface 18 and the second surface 20. Theperimeter edge 22 has a front side 24, a back side 26, a first lateralside 28 and a second lateral side 30, and the panel 12 is elongatedbetween the front side 24 and the back side 26. Furthermore, the firstsurface 18 defines an outer side of the tube 13 when the panel 12 isrolled into the tube 13.

A cushion 32 is bonded to the panel 12 and the cushion 32 is comprisedof a resiliently compressible material, including but not being limitedto, foam rubber. In this way the cushion 32 enhances comfort for auser's ear 34 when the panel 12 is positioned around the ear strap 14and the ear strap 14 is worn around the user's ear 34. The cushion 32extends along a full length of the panel 12. The cushion 32 has a topsurface 36 and a bottom surface 38, and the bottom surface 38 is bondedto the first surface 18 of the panel 12. The cushion 32 extends betweenthe front side 24 and the back side 26 of the perimeter edge 22 of thepanel 12. Additionally, the cushion 32 is centrally positioned on thepanel 12 such that the cushion 32 is spaced from the first lateral side28 and the second lateral side 30 of the perimeter edge 22.

A set of first fasteners 40 is provided and each of the first fasteners40 is coupled to the panel 12. Each of the first fasteners 40 extendsthrough the first surface 18 and the second surface 20. The set of firstfasteners 40 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed alongthe first lateral side 28 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. Aset of second fasteners 42 is provided and each of the second fasteners42 is coupled to the panel 12. Each of the second fasteners 42releasably engages a respective one of the first fasteners 40 when thepanel 12 is rolled into the tube 13. In this way each of the firstfasteners 40 and the second fasteners 42 retain the panel 12 around theear strap 14. Each of the second fasteners 42 extends through the firstsurface 18 and the second surface 20 and each of the set of secondfasteners 42 is spaced apart from each other and is distributed alongthe second lateral side 30 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12.Additionally, each of the second fasteners 42 is aligned with arespective one of the first fasteners 40. Each of the first fasteners 40and the second fasteners 42 may comprise magnet, snaps or any other typeof multiple use, releasable fastener.

In an alternative embodiment 44 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 10 , afirst mating member 46 is coupled to the first surface 18 of the panel12. The first mating member 46 is coextensive with the first lateralside 28 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. A second mating member48 is coupled to the first surface 18 of the panel 12 and the secondmating member 48 is coextensive with the second lateral side 30 of theperimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. The second mating member 48 isreleasably matable to the first mating member 46 when the panel 12 isrolled into the tube 13 for retaining the panel 12 in the form of thetube 13. Each of the first mating member 46 and the second mating member48 may comprise complementary portions of a hook and loop fastener orthe like.

In use, the panel 12 is wrapped around the ear strap 14 of the face mask16 such that the cushion 32 is exposed. Each of the first fasteners 40engages a respective one of the second fasteners 42 to retain the panel12 around the ear strap 14. In this way the cushion 32 abuts the user'sear 34 when the ear strap 14 is positioned around the user's ear 34 whenthe face mask 16 is worn. Thus, the cushion 32 enhances comfort for theuser and reduces irritation that is commonly experienced when the earstrap 14 presses against the user's ear 34 for an extended period oftime.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

I claim:
 1. An ear strap cushion assembly for enhancing comfort of earstraps on a face mask, said assembly comprising: a panel being comprisedof a flexible material such that said panel is rollable into a tubewherein said panel is configured to be positioned around an ear strap ofa face mask; a cushion being bonded to said panel, said cushion beingcomprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said cushion isconfigured to enhance comfort for a user's ear when said panel ispositioned around the ear strap and the ear strap is worn around theuser's ear, said cushion extending along a full length of said panel; aset of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled tosaid panel; and a set of second fasteners, each of said second fastenersbeing coupled to said panel, each of said second fasteners releasablyengaging a respective one of said first fasteners when said panel isrolled into said tube wherein each of said first fasteners and saidsecond fasteners are configured to retain said panel around the earstrap.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said panel having afirst surface, a second surface and a perimeter edge extending betweensaid first surface and said second surface, said perimeter edge having afront side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side,said panel being elongated between said front side and said back side,said first surface defining an outer side of said tube.
 3. The assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein said cushion has a top surface and abottom surface, said bottom surface being bonded to said first surfaceof said panel, said cushion extending between said front side and saidback side of said perimeter edge of said panel, said cushion beingcentrally positioned on said panel such that said cushion is spaced fromsaid first lateral side and said second lateral side of said perimeteredge.
 4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said firstfasteners extends through said first surface and said second surface,said set of first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and beingdistributed along said first lateral side of said perimeter edge of saidpanel.
 5. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said secondfasteners extends through said first surface and said second surface,each of said set of second fasteners being spaced apart from each otherand being distributed along said second lateral side of said perimeteredge of said panel, each of said second fasteners being aligned with arespective one of said first fasteners.
 6. An ear strap cushion assemblyfor enhancing comfort of ear straps on a face mask, said assemblycomprising: a panel being comprised of a flexible material such thatsaid panel is rollable into a tube wherein said panel is configured tobe positioned around an ear strap of a face mask, said panel having afirst surface, a second surface and a perimeter edge extending betweensaid first surface and said second surface, said perimeter edge having afront side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side,said panel being elongated between said front side and said back side,said first surface defining an outer side of said tube; a cushion beingbonded to said panel, said cushion being comprised of a resilientlycompressible material wherein said cushion is configured to enhancecomfort for a user's ear when said panel is positioned around the earstrap and the ear strap is worn around the user's ear, said cushionextending along a full length of said panel, said cushion having a topsurface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface being bonded to saidfirst surface of said panel, said cushion extending between said frontside and said back side of said perimeter edge of said panel, saidcushion being centrally positioned on said panel such that said cushionis spaced from said first lateral side and said second lateral side ofsaid perimeter edge; a set of first fasteners, each of said firstfasteners being coupled to said panel, each of said first fastenersextending through said first surface and said second surface, said setof first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and beingdistributed along said first lateral side of said perimeter edge of saidpanel; and a set of second fasteners, each of said second fastenersbeing coupled to said panel, each of said second fasteners releasablyengaging a respective one of said first fasteners when said panel isrolled into said tube wherein each of said first fasteners and saidsecond fasteners are configured to retain said panel around the earstrap, each of said second fasteners extending through said firstsurface and said second surface, each of said set of second fastenersbeing spaced apart from each other and being distributed along saidsecond lateral side of said perimeter edge of said panel, each of saidsecond fasteners being aligned with a respective one of said firstfasteners.
 7. The assembly according to claim x, further comprising: afirst mating member being coupled to said first surface of said panel,said first mating member being coextensive with said first lateral sideof said perimeter edge of said panel; and a second mating member beingcoupled to said first surface of said panel, said second mating memberbeing coextensive with said second lateral side of said perimeter edgeof said panel, said second mating member being releasably matable tosaid first mating member when said panel is rolled into said tube forretaining said panel in said tube.
 8. An ear strap cushion system forenhancing comfort of ear straps on a face mask, said system comprising:a face mask having a pair of ear straps; a pair of panels, each of saidpanels being comprised of a flexible material such that each of saidpanels is rollable into a tube thereby facilitating each of said panelsto be positioned around a respective ear strap of said face mask, eachof said panels having a first surface, a second surface and a perimeteredge extending between said first surface and said second surface, saidperimeter edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral sideand a second lateral side, each of said panels being elongated betweensaid front side and said back side, said first surface defining an outerside of said tube; a pair of cushions, each of said cushions beingbonded to a respective one of said panels, each of said cushions beingcomprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein each of saidcushions is configured to enhance comfort for a user's ear when saidpanels are positioned around said ear straps and said ear straps areworn around the user's ears, each of said cushions extending along afull length of said respective panel, each of said cushions having a topsurface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of each of saidcushions being bonded to said first surface of said respective panel,each of said cushions extending between said front side and said backside of said perimeter edge of said respective panel, each of saidcushions being centrally positioned on said respective panel such thateach of said cushions is spaced from said first lateral side and saidsecond lateral side of said perimeter edge of said respective panel; aset of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled to arespective one of said panels, each of said first fasteners extendingthrough said first surface and said second surface of said respectivepanel, said set of first fasteners being spaced apart from each otherand being distributed along said first lateral side of said perimeteredge of said respective panel; and a set of second fasteners, each ofsaid second fasteners being coupled to a respective one of said panels,each of said second fasteners releasably engaging a respective one ofsaid first fasteners when said panels are rolled into said tube toretain said panels around said respective ear strap, each of said secondfasteners extending through said first surface and said second surfaceof said respective panel, each of said set of second fasteners beingspaced apart from each other and being distributed along said secondlateral side of said perimeter edge of said respective panel, each ofsaid second fasteners being aligned with a respective one of said firstfasteners.